Lithuania Joins the Eurozone

Starting with January 1 2015, Lithuania will become the 19th EU member to adopt the euro currency. It is the last of the Baltic countries to do so. Due to current tensions with Russia, support for the move rose from 41% in June 2013 to 63% in December 2014. “We don’t have to accept the pressure of being a small country with a little currency,” declared former president Valdas Adamkus. Eurozone membership is expected to boost Lithuania’s negotiating power with Russia, according to Adamkus.